WSR 15-17-058

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed August 14, 2015, 9:23 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-72 WAC, establishing a new chapter regarding rules for a medical marijuana consultant certificate.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: 2SSB 5052 (chapter 70, Laws of 2015, regular session).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: 2SSB 5052 (section 37, chapter 70, Laws of 2015, regular session) requires the department of health (DOH) to adopt rules establishing a medical marijuana consultant certificate. The purpose of the certificate is to create standards for people that can work in medically endorsed retail stores to provide assistance to patients with selecting products to best meet their needs. Authority is also given to the department to establish fees, training, renewals, and other requirements for this certification.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Liquor and cannabis board (LCB) - LCB has authority to license the medically endorsed marijuana retail stores who can create cards for a patient and sell medical marijuana products. DOH will coordinate the implementation of 2SSB 5052 with LCB through regular meetings and other communication.

Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Persons interested in receiving updates can join the Washington state medical marijuana program listserv at www.doh.wa.gov/medicalmarijuana. Questions and comments may be sent by fax (360) 236-2901, mail Medical Marijuana Program, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, e-mail medicalmarijuana@doh.wa.gov, or phone (360) 236-4819.

August 14, 2015

Dennis E. Worsham

Deputy Secretary

for John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH

Secretary